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Citalopram treatment of major depressive disorder in Hispanic HIV and AIDS patients: a prospective study

M Beatriz Currier1, German Molina, Martha Kato

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Consultation Psychiatry, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA. bcurrier@med.miami.edu

Psychosomatics
|May 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Citalopram effectively treated depression in HIV patients, with 50% showing symptom improvement. This antidepressant was well-tolerated across both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals in the study.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Psychiatry
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common comorbidity in patients with HIV-spectrum illness.
  • Effective and well-tolerated antidepressant treatments are crucial for this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of citalopram in treating major depressive disorder in HIV-infected outpatients.
  • To compare treatment outcomes between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-week, open-label, flexible-dose study of citalopram (10-40 mg/day) was conducted.
  • Participants included 14 Hispanic and 6 non-Hispanic outpatients with HIV and MDD.
  • Treatment response, adverse events, and attrition rates were assessed.

Main Results:

  • 50% of patients who completed the study (n=14) responded to citalopram, with a mean effective dose of 34 mg/day.
  • No significant differences in treatment response, effective dose, adverse events, or attrition were observed between ethnic groups.
  • Two patients discontinued due to adverse events (rash, nausea); four due to noncompliance.

Conclusions:

  • Citalopram demonstrates efficacy and good tolerability as an antidepressant for HIV-infected patients with major depressive disorder.
  • The findings support the use of citalopram irrespective of ethnic background in this patient population.

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